Propulsion Engineer @ ABL Space Systems

ABL Space Systems was founded in 2017 by veterans of SpaceX and Morgan Stanley to develop low-cost launch vehicles for the small satellite industry. More importantly, we’re building a launch system we are truly proud of – no gimmicks or over-design, just reliable, rapidly deployable launches. We’re an ambitious team with big goals and, together, we’re determined to prove that reaching space can be simple, efficient, and routine.

When launch day arrives, we want you by our side

ABL’s Propulsion Engineers design and operate the engines and pressurization systems on the rocket, creating robust machines that just work, from propellant load through to payload deployment.

The Propulsion Engineer, Combustion Devices, is responsible for the full product life cycle of a thrust chamber or gas generator. The scope of the Propulsion Engineer position is broad and multi-disciplinary. They recognize that their ownership of a product is fully inclusive - they are responsible for dreaming, designing, developing, building, qualifying, and flying their hardware.

Responsibilities:

Take ownership of a critical engine components (Main Injector, Thrust Chamber, Gas Generator, etc.)
Identify and trade strategies to meet design requirements and select the right approach
Perform component sizing and analysis using hand calculations, custom scripts and more advanced analysis packages
Execute design work, considering manufacturing and operational constraints
Develop, test, and qualify the product
Develop production methodology and support initial production builds
Design and build test hardware and development/production tooling
Analyze extensive test data, perform high-pace design and process revisions

Basic Qualifications:

B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace engineering discipline from an accredited university

One of the following experience bases:

‍2+ years of industry experience with combustion device component ownership
Hands-on extracurricular projects or internships/co-ops, including the design, fabrication, and test of combustion elements

Preferred Skills and Experience:

Demonstrated ability utilizing CAD design and PLM software (e.g. NX, CATIA, CREO/PRO-E), NX/TeamCenter Preferred
Demonstrated analysis capability using hand-calcs, rocket combustion device specific tools (e.g. CEA, TDK, RTE, and ROCCID), as well as finite element analysis (e.g. ANSYS, ABAQUS, NASTRAN)
Understanding of additive manufacturing processes, materials, and GD&T
Ability to program scripts in Python
Strong understanding of compressible/incompressible flow and thermodynamics
Aerospace hardware design and development
Writing and executing test procedures for complex hardware operations
Technical writing and communication including test plans and design reviews
Design, fabrication, and testing of fluid systems at elevated pressures and extreme temperatures

What We Look For

Critical thinking: ABL engineers understand the "why" behind all design decisions, operational events and test outcomes.
Ability to deal with ambiguity: there is no roadmap and ABL engineers must be comfortable defining their own pathway to an objective.
End-to-end ownership: projects are delivered fully complete and ready for flight; there is no one to pick up the slack of partially complete work.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information protected under US export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations. As such, US person status (including US citizens, permanent residents, asylees, and refugees) is a required qualification for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, genetics, or citizenship status (when otherwise legally authorized to work and access export-controlled data) and will not be discriminated against on the basis of such characteristics or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We encourage applicants of all ages.

Responsibilities:

Basic Qualifications:

Preferred Skills and Experience:

What We Look For

6 month growth

1 year growth

2 year growth